01. Rose In The Dark02. Arrival03. Touching God04. Rise05. Down Of The Sun06. In This World07. Generation Next08. Nevermore09. Voice In The Silence10. The Chain

Judas Priest, Helstar, Vicious Rumors and Wolf. Try to imagine whatever associations these names stir in you with a female vocalist. Unusual as it may sound at first, it's exactly what exceptional vocalist London Wilde and Dave Starr, wellknown for his bass-work in the aforementioned Vicious Rumors as well as Laaz Rockit, Destillery and Chastain, do.

Of course pure and uncontaminated US power metal is the name of the game and Mr. Starr knows how to play it. Riff after powerful riff is blown on to the listener while Wilde's shrieks soar overhead, overshadowing most male heavy metal singers in the process. For connoisseurs of the genre it soon becomes obvious that the duo has created a few really exceptional songs. There however also lies the rub. While some tracks are close to heavy metal masterpieces, a few others are completely forgettable altogether. To be blunt, the slightly balladesque moments of the album bore me and while there are many amazing riffs on it, a fair amount of filler-riffs have found their way on it as well.

All in all the album isn't a complete masterpiece, however it definitely holds its own against most of the new and young heavy metal bands, experience seems to pay off after all. Dave managed to live up to his legacy, while the extraordinary voice of London Wilde (although she might still want to work on her ballad singing-style) has been unleashed on to the greater metal audience.

Arrival is a rock-solid debut and it would be a crime for any US power metalhead not to pick up this disc.

I've been thinking about picking this one up. I heard Wilde's vocals make the whole thing sound somewhat gothic and flowery, something I don't like too much, I'm afraid. Do "soaring shrieks" mean I can give it a shot?

I find it funny that everyone keeps mentioning Dave Starr's basswork in Laaz Rockit when in fact he hasn't recorded a thing with them.
Let me guess... that about Laaz Rockit was in the accompanying bio?

----Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal

Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight
Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.)
05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996

I find it funny that everyone keeps mentioning Dave Starr's basswork in Laaz Rockit when in fact he hasn't recorded a thing with them.
Let me guess... that about Laaz Rockit was in the accompanying bio?

EP? Wow, that's hilarious calling a demo cassette an EP. What some artists try do to give themselves some sort of credibility. And well-known for his short stint with Laaz? mmmm, extremely debatable. Willy Langenhuizen/Lange will always be remembered as the defining bass player of Laaz Rockit.
But, damn I was wrong Dave Starr did record something with Laaz Rockit, but then again nothing of note.

----Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal

Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight
Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.)
05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996

Another review I seem to have overlooked. I had to check this band out after reading it, and the comments. I'm not normally a fan of female vocalists, but holy shit does this woman have some power. If "Rise" doesn't kick your ass, you must not have an ass to kick.

Another review I seem to have overlooked. I had to check this band out after reading it, and the comments. I'm not normally a fan of female vocalists, but holy shit does this woman have some power. If "Rise" doesn't kick your ass, you must not have an ass to kick.

EP? Wow, that's hilarious calling a demo cassette an EP. What some artists try do to give themselves some sort of credibility. And well-known for his short stint with Laaz? mmmm, extremely debatable. Willy Langenhuizen/Lange will always be remembered as the defining bass player of Laaz Rockit.
But, damn I was wrong Dave Starr did record something with Laaz Rockit, but then again nothing of note.

As I recall, we sold 500 of those cassette tapes. Not bad for an unsigned band back in the day. I added that to my BIO, since it is where I got my start and people do still ask me about it. IMO, that EP/Tape sucks anyway and I am sure the other guys would say the same thing if you asked them. I certainly don't need the LR referance for credibility since I went on the far bigger and better things in my career.